🌟 November Nudge: New Voters' Fresh Wins & Future Plays!
Gen-Z Voter Registration Efforts
A newsletter giving you handcrafted monthly updates about our voter registration efforts in our goal to register one million youth voters.
🌟 New Voters Updates
The Communications Department is hard at work bringing to life several collaborations with other organizations. They executed a successful social media campaign with The Polling Place to build excitement towards the 11/7 municipal elections. Moreover, after securing an interview feature for our founder and executive director in The Democracy Group’s newsletter, New Voters will also be featured in The Democracy Group’s Talkin’ Politics and Religion Without Killin’ Each Other podcast. Finally, the Youth Advisory Council was spotlighted in Penn State’s The Daily Collegian.
Policy has been working to set up a Youth Advisory Council chapter in the Pennsylvania State Senate Office by the end of the fall. They are also organizing to push forward pre-voter registration legislation in Arizona. Finally, Policy is collaborating with the Technology Department to finalize their Bill Tracker which will provide updates on legislative work.
The Technology Department launched its Youth Civic Hub in partnership with YVote. Consequently, they are recruiting for advisors who are established in the tech industry. Furthermore, the Tech interns are working on redesigning the New Voters homepage and building data infrastructure to better track our digital engagement and reach.
Please reach out to New Voters if you are interested in becoming an advisor!
The Operations Team is going full throttle this fall. They onboarded their first wave of New Voters Fall Fellows, who will be running local voter registration drives. Operations is also working on pairing these fellows with mentors and finalizing stipend payments for these students. Operations is additionally continuing to reach out to students and young activists to encourage them to join our Fellowship program.
Development has been making moves this past month! After researching potential donors, they plan on reaching out to secure more funding for the organization. Moreover, the development team is currently wrapping up grant applications while collaborating with Operations to combine efforts where possible.
A Look Ahead: November 2024
In less than one year - on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - the next United States presidential election will take place. Given that it's now one year until the presidential election, New Voters is providing you with what might be at stake, what to expect, how to prepare, what to pay attention to, and what to ignore.
❗️ What’s at Stake?
Policy Direction: The 2024 election will determine the direction of policies on issues such as healthcare, the economy, climate change, immigration, and foreign relations.
Judicial Appointments: The president has the power to nominate federal judges, including Supreme Court justices. This can have long-lasting impacts on the interpretation of laws and the Constitution. Currently, the court consists of a majority of Republican picked judges, who have made controversial decisions, like Roe v. Wade.
Economic Policies: The president plays a significant role in shaping economic policies, including taxation, trade agreements, and regulatory frameworks.
Global Relations: The president represents the United States on the international stage, affecting alliances, treaties, and diplomatic relationships. With escalating recent conflicts globally, this is very important to note.
❗️ What to Expect:
You should expect intense campaigning, policy debates, media scrutiny, and primary elections - all of which you should pay attention to leading up to the election.
❗️ How to Prepare:
Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the candidates, their policies, and their track records. Understand the key issues facing the country.
Register to Vote: Ensure that you are registered to vote well in advance of the election. Check the registration deadlines in your state.
Engage in Debates: Participate in discussions, debates, and forums to better understand different perspectives and refine your own views.
Volunteer or Contribute: Consider getting involved in a campaign or contributing to causes that align with your values.
❗️ What to Pay Attention To:
Focus on candidates' policy proposals and how they align with your priorities as well as consider the candidates' character, leadership qualities, and ability to handle crises.
❗️ What to Ignore:
Personal Attacks: While political discourse can be intense, try to focus on policy discussions rather than personal attacks.
Misinformation: Be cautious of misinformation and fact-check claims before accepting them as true.
For more information about voter misinformation in the age of AI, check out The Brennan Center for Justice’s article.
Short-Term Hype: Avoid being swayed by short-term political hype or sensationalized news stories. Focus on the bigger picture.
Polls Alone: Polls can be informative, but they are not definitive. Consider the broader context and potential changes in public opinion.
As you’ll find, this election can determine what our politically polarized country could look like for the next four years (or more) so make sure you vote! Check out more information here on how to set up a voter registration drive with New Voters.
🌟 Op-Eds from this Month
Redefining Civic Engagement through Digital Organizing & Tech by Olivia Zhang
How the Media Creates a Disadvantage for Female Candidates by Mayya Sharma
🤝 Get Involved!
New Voters is recruiting for leadership
New Voters is on the lookout for passionate individuals to fill key leadership positions. As a Recruitment Lead, you'll spearhead mass outreach to high schools, inspiring students to champion voter registration drives.
The Mentorship Lead will coordinate our mentors program which pairs high school student leaders with experienced youth organizers to support them in running voter registration drives. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: hosting regular meetings with mentors, training mentors on how to work with our high school fellows, and checking in regularly with the Executive Director. Compensation for this position will be based on how many successful drives the mentors help run.
If you have a knack for leadership, consider applying for the Project Manager role, where you'll oversee organization-wide progress and mentor tracking and work directly with the Executive Director to spearhead our registration targets.
Applications are due by 12/4/2023! With flexible weekly time commitments ranging from 2-4 to 8-10 hours, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact on democracy. Join us in building a stronger, more engaged future!
To apply, visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/nvleadersapp
Rhizome (a youth-led nonprofit whose work includes registering 14,000+ people to vote, supporting youth leaders, and building a Civic Service Fellowship) is seeking Civic Service Fellows.
As a Civic Service Fellow, you'll have the opportunity to reflect on your personal identity and aspirations, develop essential leadership skills, make a lasting impact, and gain valuable professional experiences. This fellowship is open to 9th-12th grade students nationwide, and Rhizome is dedicated to empowering youth to serve their communities while providing essential resources and support. You can find more information on their website at www.WeRhize.org and follow them on Instagram @we.rhize.
New Voters is recruiting for interns
New Voters is thrilled to announce internship opportunities for dynamic individuals eager to shape the future of democracy! Specifically, we are looking for Recruitment and Training interns. As a Recruitment Intern, you'll be a driving force behind our mass school and student outreach initiatives, engaging with communities and inspiring the next generation of voters.
If you're passionate about crafting meaningful resources and building partnerships, consider joining as a Training Intern. Your role will involve creating state-specific registration drive guides for students and establishing partnerships with election boards to amplify crucial voter resources.
We're gearing up to launch interns applications in December. Stay tuned on our social media channels for updates!
New Voters is recruiting for mentors
New Voters is seeking dedicated individuals to become mentors and guide 8-10 high school students through the exciting journey of voter registration! As a mentor, you'll play a pivotal role in empowering the next generation by assisting them in planning impactful registration drives. With a commitment of just 2-4 hours per week, you can make a lasting impact on the future of democracy while accommodating your schedule.
To apply, visit this link: https://forms.gle/q7p9VQDstEyWgmKq5
Sincerely,
Jahnavi, Nivea, and the New Voters Team